Electronic article security system for store which uses intelligent security tags and transaction data
US5745036A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B13/248
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic article security system monitors articles sold by a retail store to detect shrinkage. The articles are tagged with RF-ID security tags. Each security tag has a unique or semi-unique serial number for identifying individual products. Transaction records generated from point-of-sale terminals in the store are sent to a remote computer. An interrogator and surveillance camera are positioned near the store exit. When an article having the RF-ID security tag is detected as passing through the store exit, the interrogator outputs a signal derived from the security tag. The output signal includes the security tag serial number. Also, the camera takes an image of the person moving the tagged article through the exit. The interrogator output signal is sent to the remote computer. The remote computer periodically compares the transaction records with the interrogator output signals to detect any discrepancies therebetween. The discrepancies are investigated by viewing the captured video images near the time of the discrepancies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.